Rove Concepts specializes in high-quality, mid-century modern inspired furniture with a strong focus on customization and durability, making it a go-to for timeless investment pieces. In contrast, West Elm offers a broader, more eclectic range of trendy and globally-inspired designs at accessible price points, supported by a large retail presence and frequent sales.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right home decor retailer for your space.
Rove Concepts: The Modern Mid-Century Specialist
Rove Concepts is a direct-to-consumer brand centered on mid-century modern and Scandinavian design principles. They are known for high-quality craftsmanship, extensive customization options, and timeless silhouettes. Aimed at design-conscious consumers willing to invest in furniture that lasts, the brand emphasizes premium materials and made-to-order production within North America.
- Product mix: Primarily focused on core furniture categories like sofas, sectionals, dining tables, chairs, beds, and storage. The selection is very intentional, sticking to modern staples.
- Style/vibe: Clean, minimalist designs rooted in mid-century modern and Scandinavian aesthetics. Think tapered legs, sleek lines, natural wood tones, and understated elegance.
- Price point: Mid-range to premium. Sofas generally start around $1,200, with many popular configurations falling between $2,000 and $4,000. Dining tables typically cost between $800 and $2,000.
- Quality: A major focus for the brand. It uses kiln-dried hardwood frames, high-density foam, top-grain leathers, and durable performance fabrics. Pieces are built to order to ensure tighter quality control.
- Customization: Extensive customization is a key selling point. Many sofas have dozens of fabric and leather options, and you can order free swatches to test at home.
- Delivery & Assembly: Because many items are made-to-order, lead times can be longer than in-stock retailers. White-glove delivery is available for a fee, which includes assembly and rubbish removal.
- Sustainability: The brand uses sustainably harvested woods, low-VOC finishes, and recyclable packaging. Its North American manufacturing model also reduces its carbon footprint compared to global supply chains.
Rove Concepts delivers high-end, customizable mid-century furniture for shoppers who prioritize classic design and long-lasting build quality over fast trends.
Shop Rove Concepts: roveconcepts.com
West Elm: The Eclectic & Sustainable Mainstay
Part of the Williams-Sonoma family, West Elm is a popular retailer known for its modern, on-trend home furnishings. The brand mixes contemporary, bohemian, and globally-inspired aesthetics to create a versatile and eclectic catalog. With a significant brick-and-mortar presence and a strong commitment to sustainability and fair trade practices, West Elm appeals to a broad audience of style-conscious shoppers.
- Product mix: A comprehensive home outfitter offering everything from large furniture (sofas, beds, tables) to decor, rugs, lighting, bedding, and kitchenware. A one-stop-shop for furnishing an entire home.
- Style/vibe: Eclectic and trend-focused. While rooted in modern design, West Elm incorporates bohemian, industrial, and global elements, featuring unique textures, patterns, and artisanal details.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Sofas and sectionals typically range from $1,200 to $3,500. Dining tables start around $600 and go up to $2,500. Frequent sales and promotions are a key part of their pricing strategy.
- Quality: Quality is generally solid, with an emphasis on using sustainable materials like FSC-certified wood and recycled fibers. Due to its global manufacturing, quality can sometimes vary between product lines.
- Customization: Many upholstered items are available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors, similar to Rove Concepts, allowing for a good degree of personalization.
- Sales: West Elm is known for its frequent sales, especially around major holidays. It's often possible to find items for 20-40% off, making it a very budget-friendly option if you shop strategically.
- Return policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days for a refund. Custom, made-to-order furniture is typically not returnable.
- Sustainability: Sustainability and ethics are core to the brand. West Elm heavily promotes its fair trade certified products, use of organic cotton, and hand-crafted items made in partnership with artisan communities worldwide.
West Elm is the ideal choice for shoppers seeking stylish, on-trend furniture and decor with a strong ethical backbone and the convenience of physical showrooms.
Shop West Elm: westelm.com
Rove Concepts vs. West Elm Comparison
Price Comparison
While their starting prices for key items like sofas hover around the same $1,200 mark, the overall value proposition differs. Rove Concepts' pricing reflects its premium materials and North American, made-to-order business model. You're paying for craftsmanship and customization.
West Elm, on the other hand, is built for accessibility. Thanks to frequent and often significant sales, the final price you pay can be much lower than the ticket price. If your primary driver is getting a great deal on a modern piece of furniture, West Elm's promotional calendar gives it a clear advantage for budget-conscious buyers.
Style & Aesthetic
The brands diverge significantly in their design focus. Rove Concepts is for the purist. It is deeply committed to mid-century modern and Scandinavian design, offering pieces that feel like classic, heirloom-quality designs with clean lines and understated forms. Its aesthetic is focused, consistent, and timeless.
West Elm's style is more of a blend. While its foundations are modern, it actively incorporates bohemian, global, and artistic influences. You'll find bold patterns, mixed materials, and trendy silhouettes that cater to interior design trends. If you want a more layered, eclectic, and less period-specific look, West Elm offers far more variety.
Quality & Construction
Rove Concepts generally has an edge in build quality. Its commitment to North American manufacturing, kiln-dried hardwood frames, and made-to-order production process allows for stricter quality control. The materials and construction feel geared toward longevity, positioning the furniture as a long-term investment.
West Elm produces quality furniture, but its global supply chain means construction can be less consistent across different collections. They make excellent use of sustainable materials like FSC-certified wood, which is a huge plus, but some pieces may feel less substantial than those from a more specialized maker like Rove Concepts. For everyday family use, both offer durable options, but for those prioritizing craftsmanship, Rove Concepts stands out.
Product Selection
West Elm is the clear winner if you're looking to furnish an entire room or home from a single store. Its catalog is vast, covering furniture, decor, lighting, rugs, curtains, bedding, bath, and even kitchenware. It's a true one-stop-shop.
Rove Concepts is much more focused. Its expertise lies in statement furniture pieces: sofas, chairs, beds, and tables. While they offer some complementary decor, the brand’s strength is in these core items, and the selection is designed to furnish a room with high-quality staples rather than accessorize it from top to bottom.
Shopping Experience
Your preference here will depend entirely on how you like to shop. West Elm offers a hybrid experience. You can browse online and order from home, or you can visit one of their many showrooms to see, touch, and sit on the furniture before you buy. This hands-on experience is a significant advantage for many shoppers.
Rove Concepts has a streamlined, digital-first model. While they have a few showrooms in major cities, most customers purchase online. To bridge the gap, they offer free swatches, a robust online visualizer, and helpful design consultations. It’s an excellent online experience, but it lacks the widespread physical presence of West Elm.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands have strong commitments to sustainability, but they approach it differently. Rove Concepts' approach is rooted in its production model: using eco-friendly materials and local, North American manufacturing to reduce shipping distances and support the local economy.
West Elm's approach is based on its global scale. The company is a leader in Fair Trade USA Certified products, meaning a portion of your purchase goes directly back to the artisans who made it. They also have ambitious goals for using 100% sustainably sourced organic cotton and FSC-certified wood, making a significant impact through their massive supply chain.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your style preferences, budget, and priorities. Both brands offer quality furniture, but they cater to different tastes and needs.
Choose Rove Concepts if:
- You are a true fan of classic mid-century modern or Scandinavian styles.
- Build quality, craftsmanship, and durability are your top priorities.
- You want extensive customization options to create a unique piece.
- You prefer to invest in a timeless furniture piece you'll keep for many years.
Choose West Elm if:
- You prefer an eclectic, on-trend style that mixes modern with bohemian or global vibes.
- You are hunting for a bargain and love to shop sales and promotions.
- You want to see and try out furniture in a physical showroom before buying.
- You're looking for a one-stop-shop for furniture, decor, lighting, and rugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rove Concepts or West Elm cheaper?
While their starting list prices are often comparable, West Elm is generally cheaper. Its frequent sales and promotions mean you can often purchase pieces for 20-40% off the original price, making your final cost significantly lower than at Rove Concepts.
Which has better quality furniture?
Rove Concepts typically has an edge in overall quality and construction. Its focus on made-to-order, North American manufacturing and premium materials results in highly durable, well-crafted furniture intended for long-term use. West Elm's quality is good for its price point but can be more variable across collections.
What style is Rove Concepts furniture?
Rove Concepts specializes in mid-century modern and Scandinavian furniture. Its designs feature clean lines, organic shapes, minimalist silhouettes, and natural wood finishes, staying true to these classic aesthetic movements.
Is West Elm furniture sustainable?
Yes, sustainability is a cornerstone of the West Elm brand. They are a large producer of GREENGUARD Gold, Fair Trade Certified, and FSC-certified products, and they prioritize using recycled and organic materials across their catalog.
Can I customize furniture at Rove Concepts?
Yes, extensive customization is one of the main reasons to shop at Rove Concepts. Many of their upholstered pieces are available in a wide array of fabrics, colors, and leathers, and they offer free swatches to help you decide.
Does West Elm have physical stores?
Yes, West Elm has numerous showrooms across the country. This allows shoppers to see products in person, test the comfort of sofas and chairs, and get a better sense of scale and finish before purchasing.
Which brand is better for timeless furniture?
Rove Concepts is the better choice for timeless furniture. Its dedication to classic mid-century modern design ensures that its pieces will not go out of style, making them a safe long-term investment for your home.
Which brand has a wider selection of home goods?
West Elm offers a much wider selection of home goods. Beyond furniture, they have a huge inventory of rugs, lighting, bedding, bath linens, and decor objects, an extensive choice for shoppers looking to furnish an entire space.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
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